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Software & Tools to run your small art business
21
items Here’s what I use to run my small business and create my artwork for my products. Including website hosts, drawing apps, and what devices I use.
Sections
3
Drawing and Creating
Websites + Helpful Sites
Devices
Drawing and Creating
Programs that I use to draw my digital illustrations and edit content
This iPad app was a one-time purchase and such a great investment when I was first starting out (it was $10 back in 2020, I'm not sure about today's price). I still use it to this day to draw some of my designs.
Procreate
I got my BFA Graphic Design degree in college, and was in the Academy of Media Arts in high school, where I first learned to use Adobe software. I use them to this day and my go-to apps are Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro (although...
Adobe Creative Cloud
I switch between this and Procreate to draw my designs. Also use illustrator to plan my market setups.
Adobe Illustrator
I use this program to edit all my videos, including YouTube vlogs and Instagram reels.
Adobe Premiere Pro
A go-to for quick fixes in photos
Adobe Photoshop
I use lightroom to edit my photos with pre-set custom lighting, watermarks, and resizing.
Adobe Lightroom
Websites + Helpful Sites
Hosts that I use for my main online shop, design site, and market orders. Also some helpful brands for organizing, taking wholesale orders, and finding music.
My website host. I'm still using one of the basic themes, but made it my own. It has a good eCommerce back-end and usability is best (I have experience with other host sites like Wix, Wordpress, Weebly, Squarespace, Square, Hostinger, etc. and I like...
Shopify
My design website host. I designed my own graphic design commissions website (and I can help you design yours too). Use the link below for 20% off plus free domain and website migration.
Hostinger
I use Square for taking tap/dip payments at markets. It has a good UI for checking people out smoothly. It can also take tap to pay on your phone, I just prefer my iPad to checkout with a larger screen. Use the link below for $1,000 in free processin...
Square
I offer some of my products for wholesale on Faire and it makes it easy to track orders from retailers. Use the referral link below.
Faire wholesale
I use Thematic to find copyright free music and sound effects for my YouTube videos. They support real human music artists. Use my link for an invite.
Thematic
I love using Notion to organize everything, including my to-do's, braindumps, content calendars, appointments, literally everything
Notion
Devices
Machines and devices that I use to run my biz
I love having all the same brand of products because the syncing is so convenient. AirDrop is my fave tool ever! Since I work digitally most of the time, I'm on this device a lot.
MacBook Pro 14"
My iPad was the greatest investment of my small business! (I also used it while finishing up my last year of college/first year of this biz). I love drawing on it with the Apple Pencil 2, digital planning on it (that's how I got into making my own di...
iPad Pro 11"
A must if you're drawing on the iPad. I love that it charges on the side really easily.
Apple Pencil 2
My parents got me my Cricut Explore Air 2 cutting machine for Christmas in 2019, and in 2020 I started selling with MadeItMikayla. I still have and use this model to this day, and only replaced the cutting mats once.
Cricut Explore Air 2
I switched from my college printer (Canon) to the Epson Ecotank because we're always aiming to be as eco-conscious as we can, and my old printer broke. I love that it doesn't use ink cartridges and lasts a long time.
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5150 Printer
I love this camera not just for vlogging but for documenting my events, travel, and life. It fits in my hand perfectly and you can customize your experience with different accessories. Plus free up your phone storage.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
To pair with the osmo pocket 3. It helps so much with getting clear audio, especially as someone who's natural voice is super soft.
DJI Mic Mini
A thermal printer is so handy for printing shipping labels and branded stickers with heat and no ink. Get 10% off Munbyn Printer with code "MUNBYNJA"
Munbyn Thermal Printer
A thermal printer is so handy for printing shipping labels and branded stickers with heat and no ink.
Rollo Thermal Printer